Featuring: John Sleigh

Code letter: - M -

Question one:

In an emergency, an effective response relies on everyone following the same plan.

Is there a generic plan that all sites can use?

The Australian benchmark

Visit: http://www.ema.gov.au/

Emergency management

• Prevention• Preparedness• Response• Recovery

Emergency management throughout Australia follows this four stage cycle:Prevent, Prepare, Respond, Recover.Attention to the early levels reduces the later needs.

Code letter: - I -

How can we improve confidence and ability for mine workers responding to an emergency?

Question two:

Prevention

• Risk analysis• Risk Control• Hazard monitoring

Risk management needs to be local – the hazards and available remedies will be different at every mine site.

PreventionHierarchy of Control

• Elimination• Substitution• Separation• Engineering• Administration• Personnel

protection• Awareness

Elimination, substitution and separation are called “Hard Controls.” They do not rely on human intervention or compliance.

Separation

The level of control needed is influenced by the consequences and the likelihood.

Engineering

Engineering controls may still rely on human action or involvement.

Awareness

Soft controls, such as training, PPE and communication totally rely on human activity and compliance.

Code letter: - N -

Question three:

How can we be confident our plans will work?

Preparedness

A response may be severely delayed unless you can be found.

Preparedness

• Medical• Fire• Evacuation

Preparedness

Adequate resources are required on site to manage the emergency until professional response arrives

Response

Response

One company involved in the gulf oil spill had a 56 page emergency response handbook. 34 pages were about dealing with the media

Code letter: - E -

Can you give me an example where the right precautions were taken in advance of an emergency, which had a positive effect when it came to the crunch?

Question four:

Recovery

If prevention is not completely possible, preparedness is the next best goal.